Convenient care clinic now open in Yakima

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Yakima – Memorial Physicians has opened Healthy Now, a convenient care clinic in Yakima that offers health care for minor illnesses in a fast and efficient manner.

Healthy Now will treat a variety of non-urgent illnesses and injuries that might not be serious enough for a trip to the emergency room, but still require treatment if an individual’s own doctor is unavailable. Services offered include treatment for colds, flu, sore throats, ear aches, minor burns, sprains and strains.

“Healthy Now is about ensuring people have the appropriate settings for health care,” said Matthew Kollman, executive director of primary care practices for Memorial Physicians. “A lot of people don’t have a doctor, and clinics like Healthy Now offer an alternative, lower-cost option than the emergency room.”

Convenient care clinics are usually open for extended hours, often before and after regular business hours for doctors, including weekends. These clinics help reduce employee absenteeism, because they offer flexible hours and no appointment is needed.

At Healthy Now, a nurse practitioner or physician assistant is on site to follow through on a patient’s care, from symptom to prescription. The average office visit for minor illnesses is anticipated to be about 20 minutes, but because Healthy Now is a walk-in clinic, exact wait times are unpredictable.

Healthy Now is likely to be busiest before and after the average work and school day, and in the fall and winter months when illnesses are more likely. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be scheduled online in advance at www.healthynowclinic.com.

Healthy Now accepts most insurance plans and Medicare. The co-payment for a specific plan will be collected during visits. Patients are urged to have insurance cards and proof of ID at the time of each visit. If a patient hasn’t met their deductible, don’t have insurance or don’t have a plan, Healthy Now accepts cash, credit cards and debit cards.

Healthy Now is located at 3909 Creekside Loop in Yakima. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information about Healthy Now, call 509-574-6095 or visit the clinic’s website.